Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $49,730 a year ($23.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,630 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,240. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,030, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Median | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| 75th percentile | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Average (mean) | $48,030 | $23.09 |
Half of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,144.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,072.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,912.69 |
| Weekly | $956.35 |
| Hourly | $23.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,730 | 2,610 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,380 | 110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,680 | 140 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,610 | 480 |
| State College, PA | $48,940 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $47,040 | 150 |
| Erie, PA | $46,380 | 170 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $45,960 | 340 |
| Lancaster, PA | $45,540 | 300 |
| Reading, PA | $38,760 | 210 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,930 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 |
| Washington | $74,620 |
| New York | $64,950 |
| California | $64,890 |
| Oregon | $63,210 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 |
| Nevada | $61,310 |
| Delaware | $61,290 |
| Colorado | $60,310 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 |
See Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,830 | $20.11 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $61,510 | $29.57 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,660 | $14.74 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $49,730 a year, or $23.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $62,630 a year. The top 25% earn $60,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $37,140 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 1,220 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.